| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.41 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | April 19, 2024 |
Colorado College
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.93 / 8.00 |
Ian
Johnson Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Parts 1 and 2. Waste per person
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Materials recycled | 138.94 Tons | 445.33 Tons |
| Materials composted | 53.12 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials donated or re-sold | 1 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed through post-recycling residual conversion | 0 Tons | 0 Tons |
| Materials disposed in a solid waste landfill or incinerator | 422.78 Tons | 904.34 Tons |
| Total waste generated | 615.84 Tons | 1,349.67 Tons |
If reporting post-recycling residual conversion, provide:
---
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | Oct. 1, 2022 | Oct. 1, 2023 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2009 | Dec. 31, 2009 |
If end date of the baseline year/period is 2004 or earlier, provide:
The baseline was developed in 2009 when the college decided to start tracking for this program.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users”:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,826 | 1,539 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 11 | 20 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,151 | 1,970 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 787 | 620 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 2,662.75 | 2,332.25 |
Total waste generated per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total waste generated per weighted campus user | 0.23 Tons | 0.58 Tons |
Percentage reduction in total waste generated per weighted campus user from baseline:
60.03
Part 3. Waste diverted from the landfill or incinerator
31.35
Percentage of materials diverted from the landfill or incinerator (including up to 10 percent attributable to post-recycling residual conversion):
31.35
In the waste figures reported above, has the institution recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold the following materials?:
| Yes or No | |
| Paper, plastics, glass, metals, and other recyclable containers | Yes |
| Food | Yes |
| Cooking oil | Yes |
| Plant materials | Yes |
| Animal bedding | No |
| White goods (i.e. appliances) | Yes |
| Electronics | Yes |
| Laboratory equipment | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Residence hall move-in/move-out waste | Yes |
| Scrap metal | Yes |
| Pallets | Yes |
| Tires | Yes |
| Other (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of other materials the institution has recycled, composted, donated and/or re-sold:
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Optional Fields
Active Recovery and Reuse
0
Tons
Recycling Management
Yes
Does the institution use dual stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
No
Does the institution use multi-stream recycling to collect standard recyclables in common areas?:
No
Contamination and Discard Rates
15
A brief description of any recycling quality control mechanisms employed:
Republic Services disposable allows up to approximately 15% contamination rate to continue to effectively sort and recycle material at their recycling facility, making Colorado College's average contamination rate <15%. The college is alerted by Republic Services if contamination rates rise over 15% at a pickup location and the Colorado College Grounds staff recycling coordinator works directly with the responsible college department and cleaning staff to address the contamination issue corrections immediately.
Programs and Initiatives
The Office of Sustainability Waste Team hosted a competition in FY23 in the Big 3 first-year dorms for a month. They conducted an audit before starting the competition, to better understand what items were going into each stream - creating a baseline of diversion. Once items were identified, they worked to create education and signage around items going into the incorrect stream. Posters were put up in each building. They also hosted several tabling sessions to educate the residents on their findings and work to change behavior in the dorms. The Waste Team at the end of the month, conducted a 2nd audit to see which dorm through signage and education 'cleaned' up their waste streams the best - hosting an ice cream party for the dorm that had the best diversion rates.
A brief description of the institution's waste audits and other initiatives to assess its materials management efforts and identify areas for improvement:
The institution uses waste data from the hauler (formerly GFL, now Republic Services) to identify high-waste areas. This information guides education efforts, including discussions with building personnel, educational materials, and waste campaigns to reduce waste in specific locations.
Annually, during Earth Week, the (OOS) organizes Trash Peak, an on-campus event. Landfill trash bags accumulate in a cone shape near the Worner Student Center, resembling Pikes Peak. Students publicly sort through the trash, emphasizing proper waste separation. The event includes a waste audit, weighing the landfill waste, and identifying the % of items that could have been diverted to compost or recycle.
The OOS waste team conducted two waste audits in the Big 3 dorms last year (Fall and Spring). Findings informed targeted education campaigns, posters, and tabling sessions to improve waste diversion in specific residential buildings.
Annually, during Earth Week, the (OOS) organizes Trash Peak, an on-campus event. Landfill trash bags accumulate in a cone shape near the Worner Student Center, resembling Pikes Peak. Students publicly sort through the trash, emphasizing proper waste separation. The event includes a waste audit, weighing the landfill waste, and identifying the % of items that could have been diverted to compost or recycle.
The OOS waste team conducted two waste audits in the Big 3 dorms last year (Fall and Spring). Findings informed targeted education campaigns, posters, and tabling sessions to improve waste diversion in specific residential buildings.
A brief description of the institution's procurement policies designed to prevent waste:
Colorado College abides by a series of "sustainable purchasing" guidelines, which are intended to help the community align purchasing decisions with the College's mission objectives. These guidelines describe the college commitment to conserve natural resources by minimizing the consumption of non-replaceable natural resources through the review of current and proposed future usage and to minimize waste via packaging, waste produced by the product (or service), and waste generated by the eventual disposal of the product.
Colorado College Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
In addition, the Custodial Department has a "Green Cleaning Policies and Procedures" document. The document includes green cleaning best practices to purchase products in concentrated forms and in packaging, which minimizes waste.
Colorado College Facilities Services Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Guidelines Manual, Green Cleaning on Page 33: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facilities%20Sustainable%20OM%20Guidelines%20Manual%20Rev.%20%204-6-16.pdf
Colorado College Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
In addition, the Custodial Department has a "Green Cleaning Policies and Procedures" document. The document includes green cleaning best practices to purchase products in concentrated forms and in packaging, which minimizes waste.
Colorado College Facilities Services Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Guidelines Manual, Green Cleaning on Page 33: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facilities%20Sustainable%20OM%20Guidelines%20Manual%20Rev.%20%204-6-16.pdf
A brief description of the institution's surplus department or formal office supplies exchange program that facilitates reuse of materials:
Office and departments will reach out to the OOS to donate surplus items and/or items no longer needed. These items then are collected and donated to the CC Exchange. Once in the CC Exchange, these items are put out on the shelves for anyone to take. Depending on the surplus materials, the OOS may work directly with other offices/departments to find new homes immediately.
A brief description of the institution's platforms to encourage peer-to-peer exchange and reuse:
The CC Exchange is an on-campus space for the CC community to recirculate used items supporting the sustainable values of students and the college to decrease and repurpose waste.
Led by the Office of Sustainability (OOS), the CC Exchange is an integral part of the CC Pantry Exchange. Its goal is to reduce waste and increase diversion on campus through collaborations both on- and off-campus. The CC Exchange team manages weekly operations, establishes, and maintains partnerships, and provides a space that meets students' basic needs. It's a powerful initiative that aligns with the priorities of the college through the pillars and core values, serving students and community members alike.
Led by the Office of Sustainability (OOS), the CC Exchange is an integral part of the CC Pantry Exchange. Its goal is to reduce waste and increase diversion on campus through collaborations both on- and off-campus. The CC Exchange team manages weekly operations, establishes, and maintains partnerships, and provides a space that meets students' basic needs. It's a powerful initiative that aligns with the priorities of the college through the pillars and core values, serving students and community members alike.
A brief description of the institution's limits on paper and ink consumption:
Colorado College adopted the campus-wide PaperCut program in summer, 2014. The program is a school-wide networked printer system where people can print to any printer on campus and must swipe their Gold Card to access their paper. In just the month of November, the program saved 38,600 pages compared to previous years. In 2015-16, the number of pages printed in the college was 5,685,995; the number of pages saved by PaperCut was 536,483 (that equates to four trees). The program also streamlines paper purchases, so all paper has at least 30 percent recycled content and the college can take advantage of bulk purchasing discounts.
Additionally, Colorado College places default printing settings on all computers, which is ensures that printing is economical and double-sided.
Additionally, Colorado College places default printing settings on all computers, which is ensures that printing is economical and double-sided.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to make materials available online by default rather than printing them:
Students, staff and faculty are directed online to access the course catalog. The College prints a limited number of course catalogs for the Dean's Office. Course schedules and the College phone directory are both available online.
A brief description of the institution's program to reduce residence hall move-in/move-out waste:
Ditch the Dumpster x CC Exchange – Ongoing
The OOS in partnership with ResX coordinates Ditch the Dumpster to facilitate move-out. The CC Exchange takes in items left during Ditch the Dumpster for redistribution throughout the year for various programs, including support for ISO and Move-In at the Big 3 (below). Athletic wear and equipment are collected and given to AFP Fitness Center. Unopened food is collected and distributed to the CC Pantry. Other items support off-campus partners, such as Haseya—an advocate program serving indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the COS region.
Supporting International Student Orientation (ISO)
The CC Exchange collaborated with the Center for Global Education & Field Study to open early during ISO, providing essential items like fans, desk lights, hangers, and school supplies. There were 29 international students who attended and benefited from this initiative, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, and reducing the need to purchase these items later.
The Big 3 Move In Give Away
During the first-year move-in day, the CC Exchange Team distributed dorm essentials collected from Ditch the Dumpster in spring among the Big 3. As part of the ResX welcome, the OOS provided new students and their families with free second-hand dorm items, aiming to initiate conversations about sustainability and reducing the need for these essentials to be purchased. By the end of the day, all the items had been taken!
The OOS in partnership with ResX coordinates Ditch the Dumpster to facilitate move-out. The CC Exchange takes in items left during Ditch the Dumpster for redistribution throughout the year for various programs, including support for ISO and Move-In at the Big 3 (below). Athletic wear and equipment are collected and given to AFP Fitness Center. Unopened food is collected and distributed to the CC Pantry. Other items support off-campus partners, such as Haseya—an advocate program serving indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the COS region.
Supporting International Student Orientation (ISO)
The CC Exchange collaborated with the Center for Global Education & Field Study to open early during ISO, providing essential items like fans, desk lights, hangers, and school supplies. There were 29 international students who attended and benefited from this initiative, expressing gratitude for the opportunity, and reducing the need to purchase these items later.
The Big 3 Move In Give Away
During the first-year move-in day, the CC Exchange Team distributed dorm essentials collected from Ditch the Dumpster in spring among the Big 3. As part of the ResX welcome, the OOS provided new students and their families with free second-hand dorm items, aiming to initiate conversations about sustainability and reducing the need for these essentials to be purchased. By the end of the day, all the items had been taken!
A brief description of the institution's programs or initiatives to recover and reuse other materials intended for disposal:
In addition to the physical CC Exchange space, the team works throughout the academic year to encourage peer-to-peer reuse through additional programming and partnerships:
East Campus Laundry Room Stream w/ Residential Experience – Ongoing
In an initiative aimed at minimizing the accumulation of unclaimed clothing items in the laundry rooms by residents in each block, the team collaborated with the East Campus RLC & RA Team. The partnership involves moving left over clothes to the CC Exchange, ensuring that they re-enter the CC community and are appropriately handled for disposal.
CC Exchange Pop-Up Events –
During the (2021-2022) and (2022-2023) academic years, the OOS Waste Team worked to host 2 pop-ups during B3 and B7 in collaboration with the CC Exchange. The events were held across campus and meant to reduce waste and to emphasize the importance of reusing flair/costumes from year-after-year.
Arts & Crafts Collaborations – Ongoing
Student instructors from Arts & Crafts work with the CC Exchange to use clothing and other materials collected at the CC Exchange for learning purposes in their classes for the CC community.
East Campus Laundry Room Stream w/ Residential Experience – Ongoing
In an initiative aimed at minimizing the accumulation of unclaimed clothing items in the laundry rooms by residents in each block, the team collaborated with the East Campus RLC & RA Team. The partnership involves moving left over clothes to the CC Exchange, ensuring that they re-enter the CC community and are appropriately handled for disposal.
CC Exchange Pop-Up Events –
During the (2021-2022) and (2022-2023) academic years, the OOS Waste Team worked to host 2 pop-ups during B3 and B7 in collaboration with the CC Exchange. The events were held across campus and meant to reduce waste and to emphasize the importance of reusing flair/costumes from year-after-year.
Arts & Crafts Collaborations – Ongoing
Student instructors from Arts & Crafts work with the CC Exchange to use clothing and other materials collected at the CC Exchange for learning purposes in their classes for the CC community.
Website URL where information about the institution’s waste minimization and diversion efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
More links talking about the institution's waste minimization and diversion efforts:
Colorado College Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Colorado-College-Sustainable-Purchasing-Guidelines-Rev.-10-26-212.pdf
Sustainable Operations & Maintenance Guidelines Manual (Chapter 9: Recycling and Waste Management):
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Facilities-Sustainable-OM-Guidelines-Manual-Rev.-10-26-21.pdf
Further information about waste at Colorado College:
The numbers for waste generated in 2009 are overinflated. Up until 2013, CC reported data by volume-to-weight conversion, instead of by true weights.
The figure for employee FTE 2009 does not include temp/on-call staff, vacant positions filled by visitors, or block visitors.
Colorado College Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Colorado-College-Sustainable-Purchasing-Guidelines-Rev.-10-26-212.pdf
Sustainable Operations & Maintenance Guidelines Manual (Chapter 9: Recycling and Waste Management):
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Facilities-Sustainable-OM-Guidelines-Manual-Rev.-10-26-21.pdf
Further information about waste at Colorado College:
The numbers for waste generated in 2009 are overinflated. Up until 2013, CC reported data by volume-to-weight conversion, instead of by true weights.
The figure for employee FTE 2009 does not include temp/on-call staff, vacant positions filled by visitors, or block visitors.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.